{"id":5173,"date":"2025-09-17T13:10:47","date_gmt":"2025-09-17T17:10:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/abroad\/?page_id=5173"},"modified":"2025-09-26T17:05:30","modified_gmt":"2025-09-26T21:05:30","slug":"external-programs-faqs","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/abroad\/explore-programs\/explore-programs-external-programs\/external-programs-faqs\/","title":{"rendered":"External Programs FAQs"},"content":{"rendered":"

Can’t find the answer to your question? Email nonbusa@bu.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n

How can I find a program?<\/h4>
Please see the Program Selection<\/a> page.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Can I make an appointment with the advisor in this office?<\/h4>
<\/p>\n

Yes. The \u00a0Program Manager of External Programs can be reached via\u00a0email<\/a> The meeting can be in person or virtual \u2013 whichever you prefer!<\/p>\n

Before you meet with the Program Manager, please be sure that you have carefully reviewed the information on this website.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

My study abroad application requires a signature. Who should sign the form?<\/h4>
Please see the Applying<\/a> page.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Is there a fee?<\/h4>
<\/p>\n

Yes, \u00a0students who study abroad on an external program during the spring, fall, or academic year terms will be assessed a $600 administrative fee.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Are there any restrictions on where I can study?<\/h4>
Please see the Program Selection<\/a> page.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Will my BU Financial Assistance transfer to my overseas study?<\/h4>
No. But, in many cases federal aid will apply to a non-BU program. See BU Financial Assistance<\/a> for more information.\u00a0 See also the Financial Aid<\/em> section of the Before You Go<\/a> page. You can also seek outside sources of funding.\u00a0Here are some suggestions<\/a>.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Will the grades I receive abroad be calculated into my GPA?<\/h4>
<\/p>\n

No, your transfer course grades will not be calculated into your GPA, but transfer credit towards a program may be granted for approved courses with grades of \u201cC\u201d or better. Please see the\u00a0Transfer Credit Approval Process<\/a><\/em>\u00a0\u00a0page.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Will courses taken abroad count towards my major?<\/h4>
Ask your major advisor.\u00a0 BU Study Abroad does not determine approval nor do they provide academic advising.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Who approves language courses?<\/h4>
<\/p>\n

All students should write to langadv@bu.edu<\/a> for any language course evaluations or any other language-related questions.\u00a0 A CAS language advisor will assist you. You can also go in person to the CAS Advising Center at 100 Bay State Rd., Room 401. If you hope to transfer credit for advanced courses toward a major or minor, see your language advisor. See the Transfer Credit Approval Process<\/a> page.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

How do I get approval for CAS courses?<\/h4>
<\/p>\n

Please see the Transfer Credit Approval Process<\/a>\u00a0page.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

I\u2019m in CGS\u2014when can I participate in an external program?<\/h4>
You must successfully complete one semester in the BU college from which you intend to graduate before studying abroad. For course approval, consult the advising office of this college (not CGS).<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

My program is an accredited one and I\u2019ve been accepted\u2014now what?<\/h4>
Please see the Transfer Credit Approval Process<\/a> page.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Who is my advisor at BU Study Abroad?<\/h4>
<\/p>\n

The Program Manager for External Programs (nonbusa@bu.edu<\/a>). See Boston staff page<\/a>\u00a0for all advisors.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Is there a deadline?<\/h4>
<\/p>\n

Contact your overseas program for their application deadlines. The BU deadlines for submission of all paperwork required for studying abroad on an external program are:<\/p>\n

Spring:<\/strong> December 1
\nFall and Academic Year: <\/strong>June 15
\nSummer:<\/strong> May 1<\/p>\n

If the deadline falls on a weekend, materials are due the following Monday. Your external program file will not be reviewed for approval until it is complete.\u00a0 Students who do not submit a complete file by the deadline will have to wait to have their credit evaluated on their return from study abroad.\u00a0 In such cases, there is no guarantee that credit transfer will be granted.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Where do I go if I\u2019m planning on taking classes abroad before starting classes at BU?<\/h4>
<\/p>\n

If you are taking classes abroad for a term BEFORE you enroll for courses at BU, then you will need to be in contact with the International Admissions department at intadmis@bu.edu<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n

External Programs can only assist with the transfer credit process AFTER students have matriculated.<\/p>\n

More information here<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Can’t find the answer to your question? Email nonbusa@bu.edu.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9593,"featured_media":0,"parent":1719,"menu_order":5,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/abroad\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5173"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/abroad\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/abroad\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/abroad\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9593"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/abroad\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5173"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/abroad\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5173\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5705,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/abroad\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5173\/revisions\/5705"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/abroad\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1719"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/abroad\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5173"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}